I rented out the basement of my house to a tenant in New York. That tenant however, has not paid rent in 6 months, and I served him with a notice. He told me he would move out, and apparently he did, as most of his belongings are gone from the space. However, just recently, I received a call from his mother complaining that I had no right to enter the space because he still technically lived there because he still had the keys. Does that tenant have any legal leg to stand on because he still has the keys? Or can I have my basement back to rent to someone else? Do I also have to get the keys or can I just change the locks since I served him already?

1. if you are going to be a landlord, get serious and make it a business

2. why did you let him live free for 6 months, after 15 days late you give notice and take them to court ( or less time, I am nice for 15 days)

3. Sorry one does not "apparently" do anything, they are either moved or not moved. What belongings are there ? What is his plan to move them out ?

4. so he is still living there according to his mom, that is notice he is still renting. So you evict, and be sure to sue him for damages and for 6 months rents